Day 151 Psalm 8-10 Supplemental notes

Psalm Chapter 8
Jesus Christ referred to Psalm 8:1-2 in "have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast brought perfect praise'?" (Matthew 21:16 RSV). The writer of Hebrews (and Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin on his way home from the moon in 1969) quoted Psalm 8:4 "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him? Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor" (Hebrews 2:6-7 RSV).

"To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith [i.e. a type of harp]. A Psalm of David. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Thy Name in all the earth! Thou whose glory above the heavens [see Heavens Below, Heavens Above] is chanted by the mouth of babes and infants, thou hast founded a bulwark because of thy foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers [see Christ The Creator], the moon and the stars which Thou hast established; what is man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him little less than God [see Children Of God], and dost crown him with glory and honor.
Thou hast given him dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the sea. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Thy Name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:1-9 RSV)

Psalm Chapter 9
Psalm 9 is a prayer of thanks by David for the victories delivered to him - right from his defeat of Goliath (see the Fact Finder question below).

"To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all Thy wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in Thee, I will sing praise to Thy Name, O Most High.
When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before Thee. For Thou hast maintained my just cause; Thou hast sat on the throne giving righteous judgment. Thou hast rebuked the nations, Thou hast destroyed the wicked; Thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever. The enemy have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities thou hast rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.
But the Lord sits enthroned for ever, He has established His throne for judgment [see The Throne Of God, From Heaven To Earth]; and He judges the world with righteousness, he judges the peoples with equity. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Thy Name put their trust in Thee, for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee.
Sing praises to the Lord, Who dwells in Zion! [see Who, What or Where Is Zion?] Tell among the peoples His deeds! For He who avenges blood [see Why Blood?] is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O Lord! Behold what I suffer from those who hate me, O Thou who liftest me up from the gates of death [see Through The Gates Of Hell], that I may recount all Thy praises, that in the gates of the Daughter of Zion I may rejoice in Thy deliverance. The nations have sunk in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid has their own foot been caught. The Lord has made Himself known, He has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. [Higgaion. Selah]
The wicked shall depart to Sheol [see Sheol and Hades], all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor [see No Class Struggles In Christianity] shall not perish for ever. Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before Thee! Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men! [Selah]" (Psalm 9:1-20 RSV)

Psalm Chapter 10
Although David sometimes succumbed to the same behavior, David did so out of human weakness, not evil intent. Centuries later, the apostle Paul (see Paul's Ministry) experienced the same inner struggle i.e. "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I of myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (Romans 7:24-25 RSV)

"Why dost Thou stand afar off, O Lord? Why dost Thou hide Thyself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes which they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his heart, and the man greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride [see The Two Kinds Of Pride] of his countenance the wicked does not seek Him; all his thoughts are, "There is no God." His ways prosper at all times; Thy judgments are on high, out of His sight; as for all His foes, He puffs at them. He thinks in his heart, "I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity." His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He sits in Ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the hapless, he lurks in secret like a lion in his covert; he lurks that he may seize the poor, he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. The hapless is crushed, sinks down, and falls by his might. He thinks in his heart, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it."
Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thy hand; forget not the afflicted. Why does the wicked renounce God, and say in his heart, "Thou wilt not call to account"? Thou dost see; yea, Thou dost note trouble and vexation, that Thou mayest take it into Thy hands; the hapless commits himself to Thee; Thou hast been the helper of the fatherless. Break Thou the arm of the wicked and evildoer; seek out his wickedness till Thou find none. The Lord is king for ever and ever; the nations shall perish from his land. O Lord, Thou wilt hear the desire of the meek; Thou wilt strengthen their heart, thou wilt incline Thy ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more." (Psalm 10:1-18 RSV)

Day 150 Psalm 5-7 Supplemental notes

Psalm Chapter 5
Some of the Psalms (see The Harp String Verses) are also prayers, as this morning prayer by King David for protection from evil men.

"To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my groaning. Hearken to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to thee do I pray. O Lord, in the morning thou dost hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for thee [see also Foreshadow of The Sacrifice], and watch. For Thou art not a God who delights in wickedness; evil [see Evil Means Fool] may not sojourn with Thee. The boastful may not stand before thy eyes; Thou hatest all evildoers. Thou destroyest those who speak lies; the Lord abhors bloodthirsty and deceitful men.
But I through the abundance of Thy steadfast love will enter Thy house, I will worship toward Thy holy Temple [see Who, What or Where Is Zion?] in the fear of Thee. Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness because of my enemies; make Thy way straight before me.
For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is destruction, their throat is an open Sepulchre, they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against thee. But let all who take refuge in Thee [see Where Is Your Place Of Safety?] rejoice, let them ever sing for joy; and do thou defend them, that those who love Thy Name may exult in Thee. For Thou dost bless the righteous, O Lord; Thou dost cover him with favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:1-12 RSV)

Psalm Chapter 6
Like all humans, David made mistakes, some very serious (e.g. see Bathsheba), but David remained a true man of God because he never wilfully or defiantly sinned - and when he did sin, he truly repented, and was forgiven. This psalm is a cry of repentance.

"To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul [see Where Is Your Soul?] also is sorely troubled. But thou, O Lord - how long?
Turn, O Lord, save my life; deliver me for the sake of Thy steadfast love. For in death [see What Happens When You Die?; also Death's Obituary] there is no remembrance of Thee; in Sheol [see Sheol and Hades] who can give Thee praise?
I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief, it grows weak because of all my foes.
Depart from me, all you workers of evil; for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and sorely troubled; they shall turn back, and be put to shame in a moment." (Psalm 6:1-10 RSV)

Psalm Chapter 7
Although a fierce (he recognized that, on the battlefield, the only law of war is to win) and cunning (he knew when to wait, or withdraw, until the advantage of attack was his) warrior, David prayed for The Lord's protection. David knew "If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword."

"A Shiggaion [a "shiggaion" is from a Hebrew word meaning strong emotion] of David, which he sang to the Lord [see YHVH, Adonai, Jehovah, LORD] concerning Cush a Benjaminite. O Lord my God, in Thee do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers, and deliver me, lest like a lion they rend me, dragging me away, with none to rescue.
O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have requited my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue me and overtake me, and let him trample my life to the ground, and lay my soul in the dust [see Dust To Dust]. [Selah]
Arise, O Lord, in Thy anger, lift Thyself up against the fury of my enemies; awake, O my God; Thou hast appointed a judgment [see When Will You Be Judged?]. Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about Thee; and over it take Thy seat on high. The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous, Thou who triest the minds and hearts, thou righteous God.
My shield is with God, Who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God Who has indignation every day. If a man does not repent, God will whet His sword; He has bent and strung His bow; He has prepared His deadly weapons, making His arrows fiery shafts.
Behold, the wicked man conceives evil, and is pregnant with mischief, and brings forth lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole which he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own pate his violence descends. I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the Name of the Lord, the Most High." (Psalm 7:1-17 RSV)

Day 149 Psalm 2-4 Supplemental notes

Psalm Chapter 2
The Lord is Creator and Ruler of all that exists. The world, as it is, is going to pass away (see The End Of The World?).

"Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against The Lord and his anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens laughs; The Lord has them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, "I have set my king on Zion [see the Fact Finder question below], my holy hill." I will tell of the decree of The Lord: He said to me, "You are my son, today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a Rod Of Iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve The Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way; for His wrath is quickly kindled [see The Coming World Dictator]. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." (Psalm 2:1-12 RSV)

Psalm Chapter 3
Some of the Psalms were written by King David during his times of trouble, either with King Saul (see Israelite Monarchy - The Civil War) or from within David's own family, such as with Absalom.

"A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of me, there is no help for him in God. [Selah] But thou, O Lord, art a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cry aloud to The Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill. [Selah]
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for The Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! For thou dost smite all my enemies on the cheek, thou dost break the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance belongs to The Lord; thy blessing be upon thy people! [Selah] " (Psalm 3:1-8 RSV)

Psalm Chapter 4
Another Psalm of David. The term "Selah" is found frequently in the Psalms; its meaning is uncertain, but it was obviously a musical notation or conductor's term of a sort.

"To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments [e.g. the Lyre]. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my right! Thou hast given me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. O men, how long shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? [Selah] But know that The Lord has set apart the godly for himself; The Lord hears when I call to him.
Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. [Selah]
Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in The Lord. There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, O Lord!" Thou hast put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O Lord, makest me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:1-8 RSV)

Day 148 Job 41-42, Psalm 1 Supplemental notes

Job Chapter 41
The Lord continued with analogies from nature. The "Leviathan" is a transliterated Hebrew word which means writhing or curled i.e. some sort of powerful creature of the waters, perhaps the Nile crocodile (see also the Fact Finder question below).

"Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook, or press down his tongue with a cord? Can you put a rope in his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook? Will he make many supplications to you? Will he speak to you soft words? Will he make a covenant with you to take him for your servant for ever? Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you put him on leash for your maidens? Will traders bargain over him? Will they divide him up among the merchants? Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? Lay hands on him; think of the battle; you will not do it again! Behold, the hope of a man is disappointed; he is laid low even at the sight of him. No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up. Who then is he that can stand before me? Who has given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine. I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, or his mighty strength, or his goodly frame. Who can strip off his outer garment? Who can penetrate his double coat of mail? Who can open the doors of his face? Round about his teeth is terror. His back is made of rows of shields, shut up closely as with a seal. 41:16 One is so near to another that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another; they clasp each other and cannot be separated. His sneezings flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn. Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. His breath kindles coals, and a flame comes forth from his mouth. In his neck abides strength, and terror dances before him. The folds of his flesh cleave together, firmly cast upon him and immovable. His heart is hard as a stone, hard as the nether millstone.
When he raises himself up the mighty are afraid; at the crashing they are beside themselves. Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail; nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin. He counts iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee; for him slingstones are turned to stubble. Clubs are counted as stubble; he laughs at the rattle of javelins. His underparts are like sharp potsherds; he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire. He makes the deep boil like a pot; he makes the sea like a pot of ointment. Behind him he leaves a shining wake; one would think the deep to be hoary. Upon earth there is not his like, a creature without fear. He beholds everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride." (Job 41:1-34 RSV)

Job Chapter 42
The conclusion of the book of Job was about justice, not man's corrupt justice in Satan's world (see Who Still Rules The World Today?), but The Lord's justice for those who overcome their time of Trials and Tribulations. Job triumphed and was rewarded with far more than he had lost - even his family that died will one day be made alive again (see Resurrections).

"Then Job answered The Lord: "I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of thine can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.' I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." [see Sackcloth and Ashes] After The Lord had spoken these words to Job, The Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering [see Burnt Offerings]; and My servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what The Lord had told them; and The Lord accepted Job's prayer.
And The Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends; and The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house; and they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that The Lord had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.
And The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand Camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first Jemimah; and the name of the second Keziah; and the name of the third Kerenhappuch. And in all the land there were no women so fair as Job's daughters; and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers.
And after this Job lived a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations. And Job died, an old man, and full of days." (Job 42:1-17 RSV)

Psalm Chapter 1
A psaltery was a stringed musical instrument, a variety of harp or lyre, with ten strings. In English-language translations of the Scriptures, the "Psalms" take their name from psaltery. The actual Hebrew word of the Scriptures, translated as Psalms, is (pronounced) miz-more and means music, or a poem set to music, while the actual Hebrew word of the Psalms, translated as psaltery, is (pronounced) nay-bel and means a bottle, or pitcher - apparently the ancient psaltery was at least in part so-shaped. In the Book of Daniel, the Chaldean word translated as psaltery is actually a transliteration (writing a word in one language the way it sounds in another language) of the Greek word for psaltery. The Greek word psalmoi means playing of harp strings.
The Psalms are poetic and musical, but far more. They provide much insight into Bible History, Christian Living and even Prophecy e.g. see Christ In The Psalms.

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the Law of The Lord, and on His Law [see Christian Living] he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff [see Baptism Of Fire] which the wind drives away [see also Gone With The Wind]. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment [see When Will You Be Judged?], nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for The Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." (Psalm 1:1-6 RSV)

Day 147 Job 36-40 Supplemental Note

by Wayne Blank

Job Chapter 36 Elihu continued his moralistic rebuke to Job and his three friends. Although Elihu was accurate in what he said about God, he seemed to be glorifying himself in the process e.g. "For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you." Elihu may have been losing his balance of perspective.

"And Elihu continued, and said: "Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God's behalf. I will fetch my knowledge from afar [see God's Wisdom], and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. Behold, God is mighty [see Might Makes Right], and does not despise any; He is mighty in strength of understanding. He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right. He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous, but with kings upon the throne He sets them for ever, and they are exalted. And if they are bound in Fetters and caught in the cords of affliction, then He declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly. He opens their ears to instruction [see Ears To Hear], and commands that they return from iniquity. If they hearken and serve Him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness. But if they do not hearken, they perish by the sword, and die without knowledge.
The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them. They die in youth, and their life ends in shame. He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear by adversity.
He also allured you out of distress into a broad place where there was no cramping, and what was set on your table was full of fatness. But you are full of the judgment on the wicked; judgment and justice seize you. Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing; and let not the greatness of the Ransom turn you aside. Will your cry avail to keep you from distress, or all the force of your strength? Do not long for the night, when peoples are cut off in their place. Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction.
Behold, God is exalted in His power; who is a teacher like Him? Who has prescribed for Him His way, or who can say, 'Thou hast done wrong'? Remember to extol His work, of which men have sung. All men have looked on it; man beholds it from afar. Behold, God is great, and we know Him not; the number of His years is unsearchable [see How Old Is God?].
For He draws up the drops of water [see Hydrogen], He distils his mist in rain which the skies [see Heavens Below, Heavens Above] pour down, and drop upon man abundantly. Can any one understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of His pavilion? [see Pavilions] Behold, He scatters His lightning about Him [see also Lightening, Not Lightning], and covers the roots of the sea. For by these He judges peoples; He gives food in abundance. He covers His hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark. Its crashing declares concerning Him, Who is jealous [see Why Is The Lord Jealous?] with anger against iniquity." (Job 36:1-33 RSV)

Job Chapter 37
The Lord (see the Fact Finder question below) often used "natural" wonders to announce His presence - just as He will before His return (see Prophecy).

"At this also my heart trembles, and leaps out of its place. Hearken to the Thunder of His voice and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. Under the whole heaven He lets it go, and His lightning to the corners of the earth. After it His voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice and He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For to the Snow He says, 'Fall on the earth'; and to the shower and the rain, 'Be strong.' He seals up the hand of every man, that all men may know His work. Then the beasts go into their lairs, and remain in their dens. From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. By the breath of God [see The Spirit Of God] ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter His lightning. They turn round and round by His guidance, to accomplish all that He commands them on the face of the habitable world. Whether for correction, or for His land, or for love, He causes it to happen. Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know how God lays His command upon them, and causes the lightning of His cloud to shine? [see also The Clouds of Heaven] Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge, you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind? Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a molten mirror?
Teach us what we shall say to Him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness. Shall it be told Him that I would speak? Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up? And now men cannot look on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with terrible majesty. The Almighty - we cannot find Him; He is great in power and justice, and abundant righteousness He will not violate [see What Almighty God Can't Do]. Therefore men fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit." (Job 37:1-24 RSV)

Job Chapter 38
The time for Job and his friends to make their speeches was now over. The Lord then "answered Job out of the whirlwind." The photograph shows the actual Pleiades star cluster spoken of here by The Lord, "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades."

"Then The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to Me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements - surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? [see The Lord's Plumb Line] On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone [note: perhaps not at all coincidentally, Jesus Christ was a "carpenter," a builder - see Christ The Creator], when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth from the womb; when I made clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed'?
Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? It is changed like Clay under the seal, and it is dyed like a garment. From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken.
Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death [see Through The Gates Of Hell] been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.
Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness [see Dividing Light From Darkness], that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!
Have you entered the storehouses of the Snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? [see also Christ the Conqueror For Peace] What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind [see also Why Did They Face East?] is scattered upon the earth? Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain, and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man; to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground put forth grass? Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? [see Dew Of Heaven] From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the hoarfrost of heaven? The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion? [see Your Very Own Time Machine] Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?
Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'? Who has put wisdom in the clouds, or given understanding to the mists? Who can number the clouds by wisdom? [see The First Scientist] Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clods cleave fast together?
Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, when they crouch in their dens, or lie in wait in their covert? Who provides for the raven [see Ravens] its prey, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food?" (Job 38:1-41 RSV)

Job Chapter 39
Amazingly, animals are in some ways more aware of God than humans are (see They Aren't Just "Dumb Animals"; also Do Animals Have A Soul?). Even plants can "know" God better than humans i.e. "But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of The Lord has done this?" (Job 12:7-9 RSV).

"Do you know when the mountain goats bring forth? Do you observe the calving of the hinds? Can you number the months that they fulfil, and do you know the time when they bring forth, when they crouch, bring forth their offspring, and are delivered of their young? Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open; they go forth, and do not return to them. Who has let the wild ass go free? Who has loosed the bonds of the swift ass, to whom I have given the steppe for his home, and the salt land for his dwelling place? He scorns the tumult of the city; he hears not the shouts of the driver. He ranges the mountains as his pasture, and he searches after every green thing. Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Will he spend the night at your crib? Can you bind him in the furrow with ropes, or will he harrow the valleys after you? Will you depend on him because his strength is great, and will you leave to him your labor? Do you have faith in him that he will return, and bring your grain to your threshing floor?
The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the pinions and plumage of love? For she leaves her eggs to the earth, and lets them be warmed on the ground, forgetting that a foot may crush them, and that the wild beast may trample them. She deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers; though her labor be in vain, yet she has no fear; because God has made her forget wisdom, and given her no share in understanding. When she rouses herself to flee, she laughs at the horse and his rider.
Do you give the horse [see Horses] his might? Do you clothe his neck with strength? Do you make him leap like the locust? [see Locusts] His majestic snorting is terrible. He paws in the valley, and exults in his strength; he goes out to meet the weapons. He laughs at fear, and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword. Upon him rattle the quiver, the flashing spear and the javelin. With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground; he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet. When the trumpet sounds, he says 'Aha!' He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and spreads his wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high? On the rock he dwells and makes his home in the fastness of the rocky crag. Thence he spies out the prey; his eyes behold it afar off. His young ones suck up blood; and where the slain are, there is he." (Job 39:1-30 RSV)

Job Chapter 40
During his ordeal, Job had faulted The Lord for bringing punishment upon an innocent man, when in fact The Lord was blessing Job by making him stronger by means of an Adversary (see also No Pain, No Gain).

"And The Lord said to Job: "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." Then Job answered The Lord: "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer Thee? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further."
Then The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you declare to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like His? Deck yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. Pour forth the overflowings of your anger, and look on every one that is proud [see The Two Kinds Of Pride], and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked where they stand. Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below. Then will I also acknowledge to you, that your own right hand can give you victory.
Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron. He is the first of the works of God; let him who made him bring near his sword! For the mountains yield food for him where all the wild beasts play. Under the lotus plants he lies, in the covert of the reeds and in the marsh. For his shade the lotus trees cover him; the willows of the brook surround him. Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened; he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth. Can one take him with hooks, or pierce his nose with a snare?" (Job 40:1-24 RSV)

Day 146 Job 33-35 Supplemental Note

Job Chapter 33
Elihu (as did Job and his three other friends) well understood that "The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4 RSV), just as He made the first humans i.e. "The Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7 RSV). See The Spirit Of God to understand the life-giving power of the "breath" of God (see also the Fact Finder question below).

"But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words. Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks [see Speaking In Tongues]. My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely. The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was formed from a piece of Clay. Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you. Surely, you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words. You say, 'I am clean, without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me. Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy; he puts my feet in the Stocks, and watches all my paths.'
Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you. God is greater than man. Why do you contend against Him, saying, 'He will answer none of my words'? For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision [see Visions and Dreams] of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while they slumber on their beds, then He opens the ears of men [e.g. see Joseph's Dreams and Nebuchadnezzar's Dream], and terrifies them with warnings, that He may turn man aside from his deed, and cut off pride from man [see The Two Kinds Of Pride]; he keeps back his soul [see Where Is Your Soul?] from the Pit [see Sheol and Hades], his life from perishing by the sword. Man is also chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones; so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite dainty food. His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and his bones which were not seen stick out. His soul draws near the Pit, and his life to those who bring death.
If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him; and He is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the Pit, I have found a Ransom; let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; then man prays to God, and he accepts him, he comes into his presence with joy. He recounts to men his salvation, and he sings before men, and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not requited to me. He has redeemed my soul from going down into the Pit, and my life shall see the light.' [see Awaken To The Light]
Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may see the light of life.
Give heed, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. If you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you. If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom." (Job 33:1-33 RSV)

Job Chapter 34
Elihu's awareness of "If He should take back His spirit to himself, and gather to Himself His breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust" is a stark reality. God could end all life, "all flesh" (which includes animals - see Do Animals Have A Soul?), just as instantly as He created life (see also Christ The Creator to understand who God sent to do the actual creating).

"Then Elihu said: "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know; for the ear tests words [see Ears To Hear] as the palate tastes food. Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good. For Job has said, 'I am innocent, and God has taken away my right; in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.' What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water, who goes in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men? For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.'
Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding, far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty [see Names Of God] that He should do wrong. For according to the work of a man He will requite him [see When Will You Be Judged?], and according to his ways He will make it befall him. Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice [see What Almighty God Can't Do]. Who gave Him charge over the earth and who laid on Him the whole world? If He should take back His Spirit to Himself, and gather to Himself His breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' and to nobles, 'Wicked man'; who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.
For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps [see Glass Houses]. There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves. For He has not appointed a time for any man to go before God in judgment [see Could Christ Return Tonight?]. He shatters the mighty without investigation, and sets others in their place. Thus, knowing their works, He overturns them in the night, and they are crushed. He strikes them for their wickedness in the sight of men, because they turned aside from following Him, and had no regard for any of His ways, so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, and He heard the cry of the afflicted - When He is quiet, who can condemn? When He hides His face, who can behold Him, whether it be a nation or a man? - that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.
For has any one said to God, 'I have borne chastisement; I will not offend any more; teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'? Will he then make requital to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose [see Choose Life!], and not I; therefore declare what you know.
Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say: 'Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without insight.' Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men. For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God." (Job 34:1-37 RSV)

Job Chapter 35
Elihu continued with more plain statements of truth (although he was starting to make the same mistake as Job and his friends did with haughtiness).

"And Elihu said: "Do you think this to be just? Do you say, 'It is my right before God,' that you ask, 'What advantage have I? How am I better off than if I had sinned?' I will answer you and your friends with you. Look at the heavens [see How High Is Heaven?], and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give to Him; or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself, and your righteousness a son of man. Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty. But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?' There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it. How much less when you say that you do not see him, that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him! And now, because his anger does not punish, and he does not greatly heed transgression, Job opens his mouth in empty talk, he multiplies words without knowledge." (Job 35:1-16 RSV)

Day 145 Job 30-32 Supplemental Note

Job Chapter 30
During Job's time of Trials and Tribulations, another aspect of the wrong side of human nature beset Job - "I am a brother of jackals" (Job 30:29 RSV). Seeing his troubles, evil men gloated over him. Jesus Christ experienced the same abuse, as stated in the prophetic psalms: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax, it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; thou dost lay me in the dust of death. Yea, dogs are round about me; a company of evildoers encircle me; they have pierced my hands and feet - I can count all my bones - they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my raiment they cast lots" (Psalm 22:14-18 RSV)

"But now they make sport of me, men who are younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock. What could I gain from the strength of their hands, men whose vigor is gone? Through want and hard hunger they gnaw the dry and desolate ground; they pick mallow and the leaves of bushes, and to warm themselves the roots of the broom. They are driven out from among men; they shout after them as after a thief. In the gullies of the torrents they must dwell, in holes of the earth and of the rocks. Among the bushes they bray; under the nettles they huddle together. A senseless, a disreputable brood, they have been whipped out of the land.
And now I have become their song, I am a byword to them. They abhor me, they keep aloof from me; they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me. Because God has loosed my cord and humbled me, they have cast off restraint in my presence. On my right hand the rabble rise, they drive me forth, they cast up against me their ways of destruction. They break up my path, they promote my calamity; no one restrains them. As through a wide breach they come; amid the crash they roll on. Terrors are turned upon me; my honor is pursued as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed away like a cloud.
And now my soul is poured out within me; days of affliction have taken hold of me. The night racks my bones, and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest. With violence it seizes my garment; it binds me about like the collar of my tunic. God has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.
I cry to thee and thou dost not answer me; I stand, and thou dost not heed me. Thou hast turned cruel to me; with the might of thy hand thou dost persecute me. Thou liftest me up on the wind, thou makest me ride on it, and thou tossest me about in the roar of the storm. Yea, I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.
Yet does not one in a heap of ruins stretch out his hand, and in his disaster cry for help? Did not I weep for him whose day was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the poor? But when I looked for good, evil came; and when I waited for light, darkness came. My heart is in turmoil, and is never still; days of affliction come to meet me. I go about blackened, but not by the sun; I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help. I am a brother of jackals, and a companion of ostriches. My skin turns black and falls from me, and my bones burn with heat. My lyre is turned to mourning, and my pipe to the voice of those who weep." (Job 30:1-31 RSV)

Job Chapter 31
Job was well-aware of the basis of true righteousness, God's Timeless Ten Commandments - that have existed right from before Creation (see the Fact Finder question below).

"I have made a covenant [see Covenant and Testament] with my eyes; how then could I look upon a virgin? What would be my portion from God above, and my heritage from the Almighty on high [see Thou shalt not take The Lord's Name in vain]? Does not calamity befall the unrighteous, and disaster the workers of iniquity? Does not He see my ways, and number all my steps? If I have walked with falsehood [see Thou shalt not bear false witness], and my foot has hastened to deceit [see Thou shalt not steal]; Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity! If my step has turned aside from the way [see Thou shalt have no other gods before Me], and my heart has gone after my eyes, and if any spot has cleaved to my hands; then let me sow, and another eat; and let what grows for me be rooted out. If my heart has been enticed to a woman [see Thou shalt not commit adultery], and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door; then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down upon her. For that would be a heinous crime; that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; for that would be a fire which consumes unto Abaddon, and it would burn to the root all my increase.
If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they brought a complaint against me; what then shall I do when God rises up? When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him? Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it, for from his youth I reared him as a father, and from his mother's womb I guided him [see Honour thy father and thy mother]; if I have seen any one perish for lack of clothing, or a poor man without covering; if his loins have not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw help in the gate; then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and let my arm be broken from its socket. For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty.
If I have made gold my trust, or called fine gold my confidence; if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, or because my hand had gotten much [see Thou shalt not covet]; if I have looked at the sun when it shone [see Sun Worship and Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy], or the moon moving in splendor, and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand; this also would be an iniquity [see Thou shalt not make any graven image] to be punished by the judges, for I should have been false to God above.
If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him that hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him, I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse [see Thou shalt not kill]; if the men of my tent have not said, 'Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?' the sojourner has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the wayfarer; if I have concealed my transgressions from men, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom, because I stood in great fear of the multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors.
Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature! let the Almighty answer me! Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary! Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; I would bind it on me as a crown; I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him.
If my land has cried out against me, and its furrows have wept together; if I have eaten its yield without payment, and caused the death of its owners; let thorns grow instead of wheat, and foul weeds instead of barley." The words of Job are ended." (Job 31:1-40 RSV)

Job Chapter 32
Job was righteous, but he was human, at times subject to the wrong kind of pride (see The Two Kinds Of Pride). In his own defense, he crossed the line into self-righteousness i.e. "he was righteous in his own eyes" (Job 32:1 RSV). When Job's three friends (Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite) fell silent, another man, Elihu, who was younger than Job and the others, spoke up.

"So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God; he was angry also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he became angry. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered: "I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I said, 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.' But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty [see The Spirit Of God and Giving Up The Ghost], that makes him understand. It is not the old that are wise, nor the aged that understand what is right.
Therefore I say, 'Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.' "Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say. I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none that confuted Job, or that answered his words, among you. Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man.' He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.
They are discomfited, they answer no more; they have not a word to say. And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more? I also will give my answer; I also will declare my opinion. For I am full of words, the spirit within me constrains me. Behold, my heart is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins, it is ready to burst. I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer. I will not show partiality to any person or use flattery toward any man. For I do not know how to flatter, else would my Maker [see Christ The Creator] soon put an end to me." (Job 32:1-22 RSV)

Day 144 Job 27-29 Supplemental Note

Job Chapter 27
Despite his terrible physical and psychological suffering, Job was getting stronger from his Trials and Tribulations. His arguments were now beginning to overpower those of his three friends. Why? How? Because "the spirit of God is in my nostrils" - Job was inspired, in-spirit-ed (see Inspired Speakers) by the Word of God (see the Fact Finder question below to understand the relation between "breath" and "spirit").

"And Job again took up his discourse, and said: "As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul [see Where Is Your Soul?] bitter; as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit. Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die [see What Happens When You Die?] I will not put away my integrity from me. I hold fast my righteousness, and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him that rises up against me be as the unrighteous. For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life? [see Why Does God Allow Evil? and Baptism Of Fire] Will God hear his cry, when trouble comes upon him? Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?
I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal. Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?
This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage which oppressors receive from the Almighty [see God Didn't Create Evil; God Created Freedom]: If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword; and his offspring have not enough to eat. Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and their widows make no lamentation. Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like Clay; he may pile it up, but the just will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver. The house which he builds is like a spider's web, like a booth which a watchman makes. He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone. Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off. The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place. It hurls at him without pity; he flees from its power in headlong flight. It claps its hands at him, and hisses at him from its place." (Job 27:1-23 RSV)

Job Chapter 28
From his own horrendous ordeal, Job was beginning to emerge from the deepest darkness into a far brighter light. His analogy of mining for gold is appropriate because gold is also used as a symbol of God's truth and the refining of those who find it e.g. "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7 RSV).

"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold which they refine. Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore. Men put an end to darkness, and search out to the farthest bound the ore in gloom and deep darkness [see Dividing Light From Darkness]. They open shafts in a valley away from where men live; they are forgotten by travelers, they hang afar from men, they swing to and fro. As for the earth, out of it comes bread; but underneath it is turned up as by fire. Its stones are the place of sapphires, and it has dust of gold. That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it. The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. Man puts his hand to the flinty rock, and overturns mountains by the roots. He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing. He binds up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hid he brings forth to light. But where shall wisdom be found? [see God's Wisdom] And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living. The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' It cannot be gotten for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.
Whence then comes wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? It is hid from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death [see Death's Obituary] say, 'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' God understands the way to it [see The Way To Salvation], and He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth, and sees everything under the heavens. When He gave to the wind its weight, and meted out the waters by measure; when He made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder; then He saw it and declared it; He established it [see The First Scientist], and searched it out. And He said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.'" (Job 28:1-28 RSV)

Job Chapter 29
Job then reflected upon all that he once had, while realizing that it was nothing compared to what is to come for those who repent, a Timeless truth often reiterated by The Messiah centuries later e.g. "For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of man is to come [see Could Christ Return Tonight?] with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay [see When Will You Be Judged?] every man for what he has done" (Matthew 16:25-27 RSV)

"And Job again took up his discourse, and said: "Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me; when His lamp shone upon my head, and by His light I walked through darkness [see The Light Of Life]; as I was in my autumn days, when the friendship of God was upon my tent; when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; when my steps were washed with milk, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! When I went out to the gate of the city, when I prepared my seat in the square, the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose and stood; the princes refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth; the voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard, it called me blessed [see Blessings], and when the eye saw, it approved; because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless who had none to help him. The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, and made him drop his prey from his teeth.
Then I thought, 'I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand, my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches, my glory fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.' Men listened to me, and waited, and kept silence for my counsel. After I spoke they did not speak again, and my word dropped upon them. They waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain. I smiled on them when they had no confidence; and the light of my countenance they did not cast down. I chose their way, and sat as chief, and I dwelt like a king among his troops, like one who comforts mourners" (Job 29:1-25 RSV)

Day 143 Job 24-26 Supplemental Note

Job Chapter 24
Job's complaint centered around the truth that life isn't fair. Bad things happen to good people. Evil is yet allowed to exist (see the fact Finder question below to understand why The Lord permits it, for now).

"Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know Him never see His days? Men remove Landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them. They drive away the ass of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge. They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves. Behold, like wild asses in the desert they go forth to their toil, seeking prey in the wilderness as food for their children. They gather their fodder in the field and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man. They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the rain of the mountains, and cling to the rock for want of shelter. There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and take in pledge the infant of the poor. They go about naked, without clothing; hungry, they carry the sheaves; among the olive rows of the wicked they make oil; they tread the wine presses, but suffer thirst. From out of the city the dying groan, and the soul [see Where Is Your Soul?; also Giving Up The Ghost] of the wounded cries for help; yet God pays no attention to their prayer. There are those who rebel against the light [see The Light Of Life], who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths. The murderer rises in the dark, that he may kill [see Thou shalt not kill] the poor and needy; and in the night he is as a thief [see Thou shalt not steal]. The eye of the adulterer [see Thou shalt not commit adultery] also waits for the twilight, saying, 'No eye will see me'; and he disguises his face. In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light. For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness [see Chains Of Darkness].
You say, "They are swiftly carried away upon the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; no treader turns toward their vineyards. Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; so does Sheol [see Sheol and Hades] those who have sinned. The squares of the town forget them; their name is no longer remembered; so wickedness is broken like a tree.' They feed on the barren childless woman, and do no good to the widow. Yet God prolongs the life of the mighty by His power; they rise up when they despair of life. He gives them security, and they are supported; and His eyes are upon their ways. They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they wither and fade like the mallow; they are cut off like the heads of grain. If it is not so, who will prove me a liar, and show that there is nothing in what I say?" (Job 24:1-25 RSV)

Job Chapter 25
Bildad's final remark:

"Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: "Dominion and fear are with God; he makes peace in his high heaven [see How High Is Heaven?]. Is there any number to His armies? Upon whom does His light not arise? How then can man be righteous before God? How can he who is born of woman be clean? Behold, even the moon is not bright and the stars are not clean in His sight; how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!" (Job 25:1-6 RSV)

Job Chapter 26
The people of ancient times seemed to have a "closer to nature" awareness of the earth, including that the earth was a globe, not flat i.e. "He has described a circle upon the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness" (Job 26:10 RSV).

"Then Job answered: "How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength! How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge! With whose help have you uttered words, and whose spirit has come forth from you? The shades below tremble, the waters and their inhabitants. Sheol is naked before God [see Through The Gates Of Hell], and Abaddon has no covering. He stretches out the north over the void, and hangs the earth upon nothing. He binds up the waters in His thick clouds, and the cloud is not rent under them. He covers the face of the moon, and spreads over it his cloud. He has described a circle upon the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness. The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astounded at His rebuke. By His power he stilled the sea; by His understanding He smote Rahab. By His wind the heavens were made fair; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent [see also Dragons]. Lo, these are but the outskirts of His ways [see The First Scientist]; and how small a whisper do we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?" (Job 26:1-14 RSV)

Day 142 Job 21-23 Supplemental Note

Job Chapter 21
Many principles of Christian Living are found throughout the "Older" Testament (see Jesus Christ's Bible), including the book of Job. Why? Because the Holy Bible is a single organism about the life of Christ i.e. "He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in Him all things were created [see Christ The Creator], in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything He might be pre-eminent." (Colossians 1:15-18 RSV)

"Then Job answered: "Listen carefully to my words, and let this be your consolation. Bear with me, and I will speak, and after I have spoken, mock on. As for me, is my complaint against man? Why should I not be impatient? Look at me, and be appalled, and lay your hand upon your mouth. When I think of it I am dismayed, and shuddering seizes my flesh. Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? [see Why Does God Allow Evil?] Their children are established in their presence, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them. Their bull breeds without fail; their cow calves, and does not cast her calf. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They sing to the tambourine and the lyre, and rejoice to the sound of the pipe. They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol [see Sheol and Hades]. They say to God, 'Depart from us! We do not desire the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we get if we pray to him?' Behold, is not their prosperity in their hand? The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity comes upon them? That God distributes pains in his anger? That they are like straw before the wind [see Gone With The Wind], and like chaff [see Baptism Of Fire] that the storm carries away? You say, 'God stores up their iniquity for their sons.' Let him recompense it to themselves, that they may know it. Let their own eyes see their destruction, and let them drink of the wrath of the Almighty. For what do they care for their houses after them, when the number of their months is cut off?
Will any teach God knowledge, seeing that He judges those that are on high? [see When Will You Be Judged?] One dies in full prosperity, being wholly at ease and secure, his body full of fat and the marrow of his bones moist. Another dies in bitterness of soul [see Where Is Your Soul?], never having tasted of good. They lie down alike in the dust [see What Happens When You Die?], and the worms cover them.
Behold, I know your thoughts, and your schemes to wrong me. For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked dwelt?' Have you not asked those who travel the roads, and do you not accept their testimony that the wicked man is spared in the day of calamity, that he is rescued in the day of wrath? [see Where Is It Safe?] Who declares his way to his face, and who requites him for what he has done? When he is borne to the grave, watch is kept over his tomb. The clods of the valley are sweet to him; all men follow after him, and those who go before him are innumerable. How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood." (Job 21:1-34 RSV)

Job Chapter 22
Eliphaz seemed to understand the Word of God, but he fell into the trap of allowing haughtiness to overtake compassion as a means to help someone in despair. He also accused righteous Job of having committed all sorts of evil behavior that Job did not do.

"Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: "Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless? Is it for your fear of him that he reproves you, and enters into judgment with you? Is not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities. For you have exacted pledges of your brothers for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing. You have given no water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry. The man with power possessed the land, and the favored man dwelt in it. You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless were crushed. Therefore snares are round about you, and sudden terror overwhelms you; your light is darkened, so that you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you [see Conscience].
Is not God high in the heavens? See the highest stars, how lofty they are! [see Heavens Below, Heavens Above] Therefore you say, 'What does God know? Can He judge through the deep darkness? Thick clouds enwrap Him, so that He does not see, and He walks on the vault of heaven.' [see also Behold, He Cometh With Clouds] Will you keep to the old way which wicked men have trod? They were snatched away before their time; their foundation was washed away. They said to God, 'Depart from us,' and 'What can the Almighty do to us?' Yet He filled their houses with good things - but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
The righteous see it and are glad; the innocent laugh them to scorn, saying, 'Surely our adversaries are cut off, and what they left the fire has consumed.'
Agree with God, and be at peace [see Christ the Conqueror For Peace]; thereby good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty and humble yourself, if you remove unrighteousness far from your tents, if you lay gold in the dust, and gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent bed, and if the Almighty is your gold, and your precious silver; then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God. You will make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you; and you will pay your vows. You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. For God abases the proud, but He saves the lowly. He delivers the innocent man; you will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands." (Job 22:1-30 RSV)

Job Chapter 23
Job's response to his compassionately deaf friends was that The Lord is one who listens.

"Then Job answered: "Today also my complaint is bitter, His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat! I would lay my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me. Would He contend with me in the greatness of His power? No; He would give heed to me. There an upright man could reason with Him, and I should be acquitted for ever by my judge. Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; on the left hand I seek Him, but I cannot behold Him; I turn to the right hand, but I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me [see Trials and Tribulations], I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured in my bosom the words of His mouth.
But He is unchangeable [see Timeless] and who can turn Him? What He desires, that He does. For He will complete what He appoints for me; and many such things are in His mind. Therefore I am terrified at His presence; when I consider, I am in dread of Him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; for I am hemmed in by darkness, and thick darkness covers my face." (Job 23:1-17 RSV)

Day 141 Job 18-20 Supplemental Note

Job Chapter 18
Although Job and his three friends all seemed to have good knowledge and understanding (knowledge comes from study; understanding comes from the Holy Spirit e.g see When Their Eyes Were Opened) of The Lord's salvation, Timeless principles of truth, their responses to Job were at times almost mocking in tone, as was Job's himself. Their conversation had descended into a contest of pride (see the Fact Finder question below).

"Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: "How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and then we will speak. Why are we counted as cattle? Why are we stupid in your sight? You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you, or the rock be removed out of its place? Yea, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine [see also Awaken To The Light]. The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp above him is put out. His strong steps are shortened and his own schemes throw him down. For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on a pitfall. A trap seizes him by the heel, a snare lays hold of him. A rope is hid for him in the ground, a trap for him in the path. Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels. His strength is hunger-bitten, and calamity is ready for his stumbling.
By disease his skin is consumed, the first-born of death consumes his limbs. He is torn from the tent in which he trusted, and is brought to the king of terrors. In his tent dwells that which is none of his; brimstone [see also Fire and Brimstone] is scattered upon his habitation. His roots dry up beneath, and his branches wither above. His memory perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the street. He is thrust from light into Darkness, and driven out of the world. He has no offspring or descendant among his people, and no survivor where he used to live. They of the west are appalled at his day, and horror seizes them of the East. Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly, such is the place of him who knows not God." (Job 18:1-21 RSV)

Job Chapter 19
Job, at least, had some excuse for his bitter attitude. He had lost everything, from his health to his property. He thought that it was all over, for this life. His friends however were Out Of Line. Job's famous and still used by religious and non-religious people alike "I have escaped by the skin of my teeth" is also found in this chapter.

"Then Job answered: "How long will you torment me, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times you have cast reproach upon me; are you not ashamed to wrong me? And even if it be true that I have erred, my error remains with myself [see When Will You Be Judged?]. If indeed you magnify yourselves against me, and make my humiliation an argument against me, know then that God has put me in the wrong, and closed His net about me.
Behold, I cry out, 'Violence!' but I am not answered; I call aloud, but there is no justice. He has walled up my way, so that I cannot pass, and he has set darkness upon my paths. He has stripped from me my glory, and taken the crown from my head. He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone, and my hope has He pulled up like a tree. He has kindled His wrath against me, and counts me as His adversary. His troops come on together; they have cast up siegeworks against me, and encamp round about my tent. "He has put my brethren far from me, and my acquaintances are wholly estranged from me. My kinsfolk and my close friends have failed me; the guests in my house have forgotten me; my maidservants count me as a stranger; I have become an alien in their eyes.
I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer; I must beseech him with my mouth. I am repulsive to my wife, loathsome to the sons of my own mother. Even young children despise me; when I rise they talk against me. All my intimate friends abhor me, and those whom I loved have turned against me. My bones cleave to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me! Why do you, like God, pursue me? Why are you not satisfied with my flesh? "Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were graven in the rock for ever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last He will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall see God [see Born Again, How and When?], whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! If you say, 'How we will pursue him!' and, 'The root of the matter is found in him'; be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings the punishment of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment." (Job 19:1-29 RSV)

Job Chapter 20
Zophar's reply to Job continued the contest, "I hear censure which insults me."

"Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: "Therefore my thoughts answer me, because of my haste within me. I hear censure which insults me, and out of my understanding a spirit answers me. Do you not know this from of old, since man was placed upon earth [see How Old Is God?], that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment? Though his height mount up to the heavens [see Heavens Below, Heavens Above], and his head reach to the clouds, he will perish for ever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; he will be chased away like a vision of the night. The eye which saw him will see him no more, nor will his place any more behold him. His children will seek the favor of the poor, and his hands will give back his wealth. His bones are full of youthful vigor, but it will lie down with him in the dust.
Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue, though he is loath to let it go, and holds it in his mouth, yet his food is turned in his stomach; it is the gall of asps within him. He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly. He will suck the poison of asps; the tongue of a viper will kill him. He will not look upon the rivers, the streams flowing with honey and curds. He will give back the fruit of his toil, and will not swallow it down; from the profit of his trading he will get no enjoyment. For he has crushed and abandoned the poor, he has seized a house which he did not build.
Because his greed knew no rest, he will not save anything in which he delights. There was nothing left after he had eaten; therefore his prosperity will not endure. In the fulness of his sufficiency he will be in straits; all the force of misery will come upon him. To fill his belly to the full God will send his fierce anger into him, and rain it upon him as his food. He will flee from an iron weapon; a bronze arrow will strike him through. It is drawn forth and comes out of his body, the glittering point comes out of his gall; terrors come upon him. Utter darkness is laid up for his treasures; a fire not blown upon will devour him; what is left in his tent will be consumed. The heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. The possessions of his house will be carried away, dragged off in the day of God's wrath. This is the wicked man's portion from God, the heritage decreed for him by God." (Job 20:1-29 RSV)